Ryan Shazier Injury Update: NFL Player Still in Hospital

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REUTERS/Aaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsDec 4, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier (50) is carted off the field during a stop in play against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium.

Pittsburgh Steelers' linebacker Ryan Shazier is still at the hospital after suffering a spinal cord injury during their Monday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

During the said game, Shazier had collided with Bengals wide receiver Josh Malone. Immediately, the former appeared to be in some pain and was reaching for his back. The pain was also evident as the National Football League player was placed on a stretcher and escorted to the hospital.

The Steelers then provided the following statement: "Ryan Shazier suffered a back injury and was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center where he had a CT scan and an MRI to evaluate the condition of his back."

"Ryan's injury will not require surgery at this time, and he continues to improve. He will stay overnight to continue evaluations with the hopes of returning to Pittsburgh on Tuesday," the Steelers added.

However, according to a recent report from ESPN, Shazier still had surgery to stabilize his spine on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Shazier addressed fans through a social media post and thanked everyone who had sent him their prayers and well wishes.

More information was also made available about Shazier's back injury.

According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the downed NFL player's condition was more specifically referred to as a spinal cord concussion and was closely similar to Tommy Maddox's 2002 injury. In Maddox's case, he was only unable to play one game.

Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com also tweeted: "Steelers told Ryan Shazier has a spinal contusion and that some swelling is involved. Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert took a police escort to hospital."

In a social media update, teammate Mike Mitchell shared he had the chance to talk to Shazier over the phone and said the latter was "in good spirits already making progress."